Stop creating climate of hysteria about sex abuse - EXPRESS COMMENT

ANNE Robinson is a brave woman.

PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: 00:01, Tue, Oct 31, 2017

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Allegations about sexual abuse continue to fly

As allegations about sexual abuse continue to fly and accusations are hurled around in the film industry, the House of Commons and just about everywhere else, she has stepped forward to talk about the “fragility of women who aren’t able to cope with the treachery of the workplace”.

And while her words might have been deliberately provocative, a climate of hysteria is developing which is getting totally out of control.

Yes, abuse is wrong and yes, if Harvey Weinstein and others turn out to be guilty of a fraction of what they have been accused of, they deserve to end up in jail.

But we are now reaching a situation in which a clumsy fumble, even a flirtatious remark, are being held up as signs of some sort of assault.

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A little perspective is needed here, not least because to equate a man putting his hand on a woman’s knee with a violent attack is to trivialise the sufferings of women (and men) who really have been victims of a crime that destroys lives.

Sexual abuse is never acceptable under any circumstances.

But that is not what people are talking about any more.

As for having some kind of “sex pest tsar” in the Commons, does our political class not have more pressing matters to worry about?